WOCCU to Aid Typhoon Haiyan Victims

The World Council of Credit Unions has stepped forward to provide disaster relief for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, considered one of the strongest storms in recorded history.

The tropical storm, which struck the Philippines last Friday, has left as many as 10,000 dead and millions homeless. WOCCU is raising funds through the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions to provide relief for survivors and help the country’s 1,320 credit unions serve members in need.

World Council has worked with Philippine credit unions, which serve 4.3 million members, since 1996, according to the WOCCU Global Relief section of the Madison, Wis. –based international trade association’s website. The organization’s most recent project in the Philippines focused on model credit union building and institutional branding.

Following the 2006 Philippines landslide in Leyte, World Council supported the local league's administration of "livelihood loans," small microloans that helped credit union members and employees rebuild their homes and businesses.

The organization also raised relief funds to support and rebuild credit unions in multiple countries affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Contributions for the support and rebuilding of Philippine credit unions may be made via check, credit card or wire transfer to: Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, Inc., 5710 Mineral Point Road, Madison, Wis. 53705. Donors also can give online.